Here’s looking at Coo

Highland cattle in Dumfries & Galloway and Edinburgh are inspiring social media influencers in a new VisitScotland video wishing future international visitors a ‘happy coo year’.

The video was promoted across our social media channels last Tuesday night (15 January) and has been viewed more than 90,000 times.

Captured on VisitScotland’s own 'coo cam', the animals were filmed throughout November enjoying their day-to-day lives against the breath-taking backdrop of Kitchen Coos and Ewes near Newton Stewart and Swanston Farm in the Scottish capital.

We hope the footage will provide a moment of light relief for the many international travellers whose trips to Scotland were disrupted or cancelled last year by the pandemic, and as we stay at home.

Highland cows are a major talking point across our social channels which is reflected in the popularity of the weekly Coosday posts published every Tuesday. Throughout the year we'll continue to release new videos on our social media channels featuring Highland Coos from across the country.

Scottish farm life is a major part of the appeal of agritourism. The tourism trend, which includes farm visits and food and drink experiences, had its first virtual conference in November and could grow in popularity in the wake of the pandemic, as visitors seek a more rural-focused experience.

The conference was hosted by Scottish Agritourism, the membership organisation for agritourism businesses in Scotland which sits within the umbrella of the national Scottish Tourism Alliance.

All footage was captured on a GoPro Hero 8 by experienced farm professionals who care for and look after the cattle daily. VisitScotland advises that visitors do not approach Highland cattle when exploring the country, so as not to alarm them.

The video can be viewed across our consumer social media channel, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.